Enter any address in Graham County, Arizona to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Graham County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 49 flash flood events, resulting in one fatality. For example, on July 22, 2021, a flash flood in Graham County caused one fatality. More recently, on June 20, 2024, flash flooding was observed in the town of Pima.
While flash floods are more frequent, river flooding can also occur. On August 22, 2022, heavy rain upstream in New Mexico caused the Gila River to flood at Duncan, leading to road closures and minor flooding in homes and businesses. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X have experienced the highest average payouts, with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Claims in Zone UNKNOWN also show a significant average water depth of 2.5 feet.
Residents in areas identified as Zone X, Zone A, or those with unknown flood zone designations should pay particular attention to flood risk. Properties located near rivers, such as the Gila River, or in areas prone to rapid runoff from thunderstorms, may be at higher risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Graham County, Arizona has recorded 52 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 49 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1966–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 25, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 10, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Flood | Jan 5, 1993 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Jul 8, 1990 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 23, 1983 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Dec 21, 1978 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Mar 4, 1978 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Aug 22, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2021 | 5.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2024
The first active convective day of the 2024 monsoon produced several thunderstorms that resulted in strong winds and flash flooding. Notably, a 61 MPH wind gust occurred at Pioneer Airfield at Fort Huachuca and separately, Flash Flooding and severe wind gusts were observed in the town of Pima in Graham County.
Flood — Aug 22, 2022
Heavy rain upstream in New Mexico caused the Gila River to flood at Duncan, where Highway 70 was closed, and several homes and a couple businesses experienced minor flooding. Downstream at Solomon, the bridge was partially flooded.
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2022
Thunderstorms moved northeast across southeast Arizona during the afternoon and evening. Heavy rain and flash flooding was observed west of Safford and a dust storm moved across southwest Pinal County.
Flash Flood — Jul 22, 2021
A number of rounds of thunderstorms were triggered by a westward moving upper level weather system across southeast Arizona from the afternoon of July 22 into the early morning of July 23. Thunderstorms produced wind damage and flash flooding in Douglas, Green Valley and the Tucson Metro area. Flooding also occurred along the San Pedro River as well as the Pantano Wash and Rillito River, and ev...
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2021
Slow moving thunderstorms developed across Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties during the afternoon. Heavy rain up to 2 inches per hour caused areas of flash flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Graham County, Arizona:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Graham County, Arizona that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.